We could be in for a major tactical shift involving Jurrien Timber, one that allows Arsenal to exploit the Dutch international’s technical ability even further.
Arsenal’s friendly against Athletic Bilbao offered subtle clues about what to expect tactically from Mikel Arteta and his side this season. One trademark of Arteta’s system has been the inverted left-back role. Oleksandr Zinchenko pioneered the tactic to great effect, helping Arsenal mount a serious title challenge.
However, as time went on, Zinchenko became a liability in that role and the Gunners began to struggle down the left. That changed last season when Myles Lewis-Skelly breathed new life into the position. The Hale End graduate impressed as Arsenal’s inverted full-back, once again delivering what Arteta demands from the role. Heading into the new campaign, many expected Lewis-Skelly to pick up where he left off.
Zubimendi-Timber positional switch
Against Athletic Club, one intriguing tactical pattern emerged involving new signing Martin Zubimendi and Timber. Few picked up on it, but former Gunner Adrian Clarke highlighted the positional rotation and praised its potential impact.
“I liked him pulling out to right-back,” Clarke said of Zubimendi drifting wide, speaking on the Handbrake Off Podcast.
“Sometimes we saw Timber invert into central midfield, which he doesn’t always do. But whenever he fancied doing that, Zubimendi pulled into right-back and we saw him link well with Saka a couple of times.”
While it is unclear whether this switch will become a regular feature, it could prove a game-changing tactic. The rotation could drag opponents out of shape, create overloads, and allow both players to influence the game more freely, especially given their composure and quality on the ball.
Zubimendi the game-changer
Zubimendi is one of the finest talents now at Arteta’s disposal. In or out of possession, he showed last weekend that he influences the game effortlessly. He elevates those around him, and that could be key to unlocking Arsenal’s next level.
As for Timber, his ability to invert and contribute to progressive play could reveal a new side to this Arsenal team. Whether this tactical shift sidelines the inverted left-back role at times remains to be seen. If so, it could allow the left-back to overlap more frequently, supporting Gabriel Martinelli and helping him rediscover his spark.
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments.
Daniel O
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A right-footed fullback like Tomiyasu was highly effective at marking pacey inverted RWs like Salah, because of the inverted RW’s tendency to cut inside
I bet Timber will be as effective as Tomiyasu was if we play against such inverted RWs
@i think Arteta’s first 11 against Villarreal is to test his resolve against ManU. After coming out 3:0 victorious I don’t see him changing soon in the absence of any sudden injury.
I also liked the fact Calafiori is allowed to overlap thereby adding support to Matinelli on LW.
Arteta seem to have evolved his tactics by allowing DRice & Zubimendi to seat in front of the defence which they did very well in a 4-2-3-1 formation. AWenger esque.
The double-pivot formation and the overlapping LB tactic are quite effective now, so I also expect him to use them in Old Trafford and he might only change it if we can’t score in the first half of the game
Gyokeres.
Madueke. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Skelly. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
I can guarantee the first 11 is:
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Califiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres & Martinelli
Are you sure MLS would not lreplace califiori.
Only if Califiori isn’t fit enough. Else that is MA’s starting 11.
MA will still not rotate the way we are expecting this season. Here’s a quote from Ma:
“I don’t change clothes when Arsenal is on a winning streak”. He revealed this habit in an interview, stating he’s a very methodical and routine person, and when winning, he prefers to stick with the same cloth
So he’ll stick with same 11 if nothing is enforcing the change
Madueke is not going to start ahead of Martinelli on the left cos Martinelli is better than him on that wing and helps the team with his work rate and defensive duties.
I think the main thing is the Rice-Zubimendi in-game rotation.
Will be an interesting one to see.
Lookin forward to all positive tactical changes from the gaffer.
Let’s win while we enjoy our football.
IF opponents match up man to man, yes it may cause problems.
If they don’t, and zonal mark or play space, then the switch may weaken us defensively.
Arteta has said he likes to set up and play tactics depending on opponents, so maybe my point is moot.
However it goes, our depth should make playing whatever formation and tactics Arteta chooses interesting this swason.
Are you sure MLS would not lreplace califiori.
A massive BIG UP to Tony Adams in receiving a STATUE. I loved his interview regarding his views on MIKEL ARTETA as a manager, as well as his opinion on who should be the ARSENAL CAPTAIN right now. ADAMS was a great CAPTAIN. Yes, he had some personal demons, but the MAN was Arsenal through and through. What I like about Adams as a former Arsenal player, is that he says it as it is. He has an opinion,, some people don’t like it. It’s usually the usual ARTETA SEXUALS that disagree. I like the fact that he thinks Declan Rice should be the ARSENAL CAPTAIN. I could not agree more. A big up to MR ARSENAL
Funny you know,,, the amount of times I’ve been to the Emirates Stadium, I have never observed all of the statues. I must say, a bit of ignorance on my side of things. I was chatting to a good mate of mine recently who actually took me on a tour of the perimeter of stadium last year. I took photos and plenty of them,,,, statues included. I saw an interview with Tony Adams the other night. I got on to my friend and asked him, ” where is Adams’ statue? Apparently I took quite a few pictures of it while we were walking about. I ended up going back to that particular camera I used ,,,, and bugger me dead 7 photos of Tony Adams taken on different angles,,,, one with me standing next to it. My friend asked me did I need to see spect savers. I was actually trying to argue a case for Tony Adams having a statue on show case. I’ve got the photos, but don’t remember talking them